Election Results For Florida
Oct 3, 2009 4:47 pm US/Eastern
Dolphins Look For First Win Against Buffalo Bills
The match-up is the first for Miami in the AFC East.
By Solange Reyner
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
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MIAMI - AUGUST 17: Quarterback Chad Henne of the Miami Dolphins warms-up before entering the game while taking on the Jacksonville Jaguars during a preseason game at Landshark Stadium on August 17, 2009 in Miami, Florida.
Doug Benc/Getty Images
Four games into the season, the Miami Dolphins are still searching for their first win. They'll have a backup quarterback trying to get them one this Sunday against the Buffalo Bills at 4:15.
A second round draft pick in 2008, Chad Henne has long been considered the heir apparent as Miami's signal caller. It was only a matter of time before the former Michigan grad took the reins, but this NFL debut came a bit early when Chad Pennington sustained a shoulder injury last week against the San Diego Chargers.
Pennington, who had surgeries on the same shoulder in 2004 and 2005, could be out for the remainder of the season – he underwent another procedure on Friday when he visited Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Alabama.
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I don't have a crystal ball. I don't know what is going to happen out there on Sunday, but what I do know is that [Henne] is prepared," Miami Coach Tony Sparano said.
"We do have to move on. It's Chad Henne's turn."
The Dolphins (0-3) could use a boost. Even though Miami has established a powerful running game – 161.3 yards per game, the Dolphins haven't been able to convert long drives into touchdowns. Pennington had one touchdown and two interceptions in his first three outings and kicker Dan Carpenter has more points – 19 – than anyone else on the team, including Ronnie Brown (12) and Ricky Williams (12).
Sparano is hoping that Williams and Brown will take some of the heat off Henne.
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I would hope that that happens, I really do. I hope that Ronny and Ricky – the big hat's always been on those kind of players when you're out there, but it's on them a little bit more right now," Sparano said.
Miami's secondary could have trouble again. That unit has given up big scores to both Indianapolis and San Diego. This week, they'll face six-time pro bowler Terrell Owens. Even though Owens had a substandard outing against New Orleans last week when he caught zero passes, the Dolpins will key in on him.
"That's T.O.'s problem. I have nothing to do with that," linebacker Jason Taylor said.
"They have two good running backs, kind of similar to what we have here with Ronnie [Brown] and Ricky [Williams]. And they've got plenty of talent around him: T.O. [Terrell OweNs] on the outside, the receivers they have, they've got plenty of talent. So it's another test for us."
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